How to find a house

Eager to find and purchase a home? It’s natural to feel excited. But be prepared: This process can also be stressful, especially considering the high costs involved and increased buyer competition nowadays. Consider that about 800,000 buyers purchased homes in the United States in August 2025 alone.

Before you decide to move forward on a home purchase, it’s important to ask yourself a few questions and explore how to balance your wants and needs with your budget. For detailed tips, read my latest article for Rocket Mortgage, available here.

Cineversary podcast celebrates 80th anniversary of Brief Encounter

David Thomson

In Cineversary podcast episode #89, host ⁠Erik J. Martin⁠ celebrates the 80th birthday of Brief Encounter, directed by David Lean. He and his guest David Thomson – the distinguished film critic, historian, and author of Sleeping with Strangers: How the Movies Shaped Desire – climb aboard the romance express and discuss why this film still matters, its impact on cinema, relevant themes, and more.

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download, or subscribe to Cineversary wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts and

Spotify.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to cineversarypodcast@gmail.com.

The art of holiday toasting

Planning on hosting a holiday party? No Santa-rific shindig would be complete without an assigned area for libations, otherwise known as a drink station. Even more than your table centerpiece, this section of your gathering space could be a major focal point for guests, which is why it’s smart to carefully plan your beverages and how they will be served. It’s a fun method to “break the ice” among attendees as well as showcase your premium spirits in a festive and engaging manner.

For holiday drink station tips, read my latest article for The Daily Herald, available here.

Help to make the season bright

Many homeowners eager to express their love of the holidays to the surrounding neighborhood emphasize their front exterior, hanging up various lights and various twinkling Yuletide décor. But as they say, home is where the heart is, and the heart of your home is indoors, where you, your family, and cherished guests will spend more time appreciating the fine seasonal touches. That’s why it’s wise to invest more dollars and time adorning your interiors this month — particularly with different holiday lights.

Learn useful indoor holiday lighting tips by reading my latest article for The Daily Herald, available here.

Set the table for wow this holiday season

When planning your holiday meal, you don’t necessarily want your guests’ eyes to instantly go to the place settings, tablecloth or glassware. The focal point of your table should be an appealing centerpiece that reflects your good taste as a host, chef and decorator.

For expert tips on how to emphasize this important visual anchor this holiday season, read my latest article for The Daily Herald, available here.

Cineversary podcast celebrates 50th anniversary of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

In Cineversary podcast episode #88, host ⁠Erik J. Martin⁠ honors the 50th anniversary of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, directed by Milos Forman. He and his guest Patrick McGilligan – a film historian and author of Jack’s Life: A Biography of Jack Nicholson – check themselves in for a voluntary visit to Nurse Ratched‘s ward as they profess how crazy they are for this movie and discuss what makes it great, its influence on cinema, pivotal themes, and more.

Patrick McGilligan

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download, or subscribe to Cineversary wherever you get your podcasts, including
Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to cineversarypodcast@gmail.com.

Here's how to take someone's name off your mortgage

Having multiple names on your mortgage loan has its advantages. It likely enabled you to qualify for financing and thereby buy the home more easily, and it may lower your risk if you run into future repayment problems. But what if you need one or more names removed? Can you take someone off a mortgage?

Fortunately, there are options you can pursue here, including refinancing, mortgage assumption, loan modification, and selling the home. Read my latest article for Better.com to learn how to remove someone from a mortgage, the steps involved, the benefits and drawbacks of doing so, the cost of removing someone from a mortgage, and more.

How the Fed rate cut affects you

The Federal Reserve met on Oct. 29, 2025, and cut interest rates by 25 basis points (0.25 percentage points) to a new target range of 3.75% to 4%. This was the second cut this year. A Fed rate cut is good financial news for many but bad news for others.

Curious to learn who will benefit and who won't from a Federal Reserve rate cut? Read my latest article for US News & World Report for more details about how a Fed rate cut works and the winners and losers of lower rates.

The pros and cons of refinancing your mortgage loan

Pondering a mortgage refinance? There’s a lot to consider before pulling the trigger on this significant financial decision. Namely, how would a refi benefit you? What are the pros and cons of refinancing your home? Do the benefits of refinancing your home outweigh any disadvantages? And what refinancing alternatives exist?

Read my latest article for Refi.com for helpful answers to these and other questions.

Cineversary podcast celebrates 90th birthday of Bride of Frankenstein

Greg Mank

In Cineversary podcast episode # 87, host ⁠Erik Martin⁠ reanimates James Whale’s Bride of Frankenstein for its 90th anniversary. Joining him for this high-voltage episode is vintage horror historian Gregory Mank, author It's Alive! The Classic Cinema Saga of Frankenstein. Together, they dissect the secrets behind Bride of Frankenstein: why the film remains so highly regarded, thematic takeaways that resonate in the 21st century, the extent to which it innovated horror cinema, and much more.

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download, or subscribe to Cineversary wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to cineversarypodcast@gmail.com.

How much does it cost to move cross-country?

With remote work on the rise and the high cost of housing, more Americans are moving long distances to find affordable homes. But relocating can be time-consuming and costly, depending on where you’re moving and what you need to move. So how much should you expect to budget if you plan to move faraway? Learn more about your choices and what effect they have on the cost of moving cross-country by reading my latest article for Rocket Mortgage, available here.

How soon can you refinance your mortgage loan?

Eager to pursue a mortgage refi? You may be able to pull the trigger right away, depending on your loan type. Some homeowners can refinance immediately with no waiting period, while others need to wait as little as six months, and rarely longer than a year.

To learn more, read my latest article for The Mortgage Reports, available here.

Midnight Terror reinvents its haunted house for all-new scares

 

Midnight Terror Haunted House in Oak Lawn – one of the PR clients I represent – wrote the book on how a Chicagoland haunted attraction can thoroughly terrify its audience when it opened 11 years ago. Now, in 2025, it’s ripped up those pages and created a whole new scare playbook after reworking its entire theme and introducing new characters and fresh thrills designed to frighten audiences anew.

Haunt owner and Marine veteran Justin Cerniuk of Oak Lawn spent the entire off-season reimagining Midnight Terror, aiming to amplify the fear factor and entertainment value for his customers.

“After a successful run of the same popular theme for several years, it was time for a new look, design, and approach to the way we scare,” he says. “We want our visitors to think of us as not just a haunted house but a major Halloween event: one that creates an unforgettable experience and an exceptional value for the price. So we adopted a completely new narrative that drives our characters. We incorporated classic monsters that everyone loves and associates with Halloween. And we gave our scare actors and makeup artists more creative freedom on how to inhabit those roles and frighten customers in more clever and innovative ways.”

Midnight Terror will continue to offer two impressive haunted attractions for the price of one. Now, you’ll first enter the dark industrial corridors of Shadowtek, a decrepit workshop where Dr. Shroud conducts illegal lab experiments on hapless factory workers, transforming them into malicious mutants programmed to terrorize the public. Next, your journey leads you through Black Oak Grove on All Hallows’ Eve, where an eerie fog blankets the streets, malevolent trick-or-treaters roam, and the OG fiends that populated your childhood nightmares – including vampires, werewolves, witches, and mummies – take shivery shape from out of the shadows. Then, to escape the haunt, you’ll have to brave an insane maze of killer clowns wielding rusty chainsaws.

Even the “Rotten Hollow” queue line will keep you on your toes, with costumed creatures, professional jugglers, stilt walkers, and street dancers providing free entertainment as you prepare to enter Midnight Terror.

The haunt will also be hosting four special events in 2025:
· “Lights On Trick-or-Treating” on Oct. 25 from noon to 2:30 p.m., during which parents can bring their younger kids to tour the haunt while the lights are on and “scary mode” is turned off; enjoy costume contests, candy, magicians, balloon artists, and carnival games (all-ages admission is $15 per person; all children must be accompanied by an adult).
· “Blackout” on Nov. 2 from 7-10 p.m., when all lights inside are turned off and visitors must rely on a glow stick to navigate the dark haunt (admission from $30).
· “Clown Takeover” on Nov. 8 from 7-10 p.m., when the haunt’s theme switches to a “carn-evil” swarming with killer clowns (admission from $30).
· “Christmas Fear” on Dec. 12, 13, and 14 from 7-10 p.m., which promises an unforgettable experience in Yuletide terror (admission from $20).

Additionally, 115 Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park is now offering a special Midnight Terror Burger for a limited time; bring your burger receipt to the on-site Midnight Terror ticket booth and your general admission tickets (two maximum) will automatically be upgraded to Fast Pass tickets – a $40 value. You can get details on other promotions and discounts by signing up for the haunt’s official email list, Nightmare Fuel, at MidnightTerror.com.

Ranked as one of the best haunted houses in Chicagoland by TimeOut, a top 10 haunted attraction by USA Today, a top 10 haunt by ScareFactor.com, and one of the 10 scariest haunted houses in America by ScaryOverload.com, Midnight Terror has been featured numerous times on Fox 32 and comes highly recommended by Thrillist, NBC, the Chicago Tribune, Patch.com, Haunted House Chicago, Illinois Haunted Houses, and others. The haunt has also received more than 1,200 five-star reviews from visitors on Google and Facebook.

Midnight Terror Haunted House is located at 5520 W. 111th St., Oak Lawn, Ill., 60453, just east of the intersection of Central Avenue and 111th Street. General admission per person starts at $30 online page down page down and $35 at the onsite ticket booth; Fast Pass admission per person, which places you in a line that’s three times faster than the general admission line, is $55. Or you can purchase immediate access ($75 per person), which guarantees instant entry into the haunt. Use the promo code Fear 20 online to get 20% off general admission or Fast Pass tickets, good on select dates.

Midnight Terror is wheelchair accessible and open, rain or shine, from:
7 p.m. to 11 p.m. most Fridays and Saturdays: Oct. 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, and 31
7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays and select days: Sept. 26-28, Oct. 3, 5, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 29, and 30, and Nov. 1, 2, and 8.

Visitors can park for no charge on-site or take a free shuttle to Midnight Terror; the shuttle departs from 9525 Tulley Ave., Oak Lawn, regularly during hours of operation (check the website for the latest shuttle schedules).

For more information, check out MidnightTerror.com or email info@midnightterror.com.

Cineversary podcast celebrates 50th anniversary of Dog Day Afternoon

In Cineversary podcast episode #86, host ⁠Erik Martin⁠ takes it to the bank as he commemorates the 50th anniversary of Sidney Lumet’s Dog Day Afternoon. Joining him for this golden celebration is Maura Spiegel, a film studies professor at Columbia University and author of the book Sidney Lumet: A Life. Together, they examine how this film remains resonant and relevant, the impression it made another filmmakers, major themes, and much more.

Maura Spiegel

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download, or subscribe to Cineversary wherever you get your podcasts, including
Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to cineversarypodcast@gmail.com.

Want to win that home bid? Write a letter to the home seller

In a tight market where you are competing with several buyers over the same home, it can be difficult to make your offer stand out. Even though you may believe you are the best candidate to purchase a particular property and the most passionate about winning the bid, the seller may end up choosing a rival offer. So how can you get a leg up on the competition and impress the seller? Including a letter to the seller of home with your offer can help establish an emotional connection and explain why you're the right buyer.

But it’s important to know how to structure it, as writing letters to home sellers requires careful consideration and wording. Learn more by reading my latest article for Better.com, available here.

How to pick the right credit card: A guide for college students

Whether you’re heading off to college for the first time or returning for another school year, getting a student credit card could help you reach some of your financial goals, especially as they relate to building credit. Cultivating consistent, positive credit-building habits with a student credit card that fits your needs will set you on the right track for future financial success.

But before you apply for just any card, you’ll need to consider a few factors to help you pick the right one. Read my latest article for Bankrate, available here, for step-by-step guidance to help you choose a student card that fits your needs.

Should you hire movers or do a DIY move?

Preparing to move into your first or next home? It’s natural to be excited about your new domicile and getting settled in. But you’ve got a big decision ahead: How are you going to get all your stuff from here to there? Ambitious home buyers may think they can do it all themselves, but a major move can be more challenging and physically demanding than anticipated.

Which begs the question: Should you hire professional movers, or perform a DIY move? Answers await in my latest article for Mortgage Resource Network, available here.

Ready to refinance? Be prepared for the appraisal

Excited about refinancing your mortgage and hopefully lowering your monthly payments? Now that rates have come down, this could be a great time for a refi. You’ve been through this process before when you first took out your home loan. Many of the steps involved are similar, including the need to have your home appraised. But it’s natural to wonder: What do appraisers look for in a refinance? And what strategies can I follow to improve my odds of a more favorable refinance appraisal?

Learn more by reading my latest article for Rocket Mortgage, available here.

Cineversary podcast celebrates Sunset Boulevard's 75th anniversary with TCM's Eddie Muller

In Cineversary podcast episode #85, host ⁠Erik Martin⁠ is ready for his close up as he celebrates the 75th anniversary of Billy Wilder’s Sunset Boulevard. Accompanying him on this diamond jubilee is Eddie Muller, host of TCM’s Noir Alley and founder/president of the Film Noir Foundation. Together, they explore what makes this movie timeless and relevant, its influence on other filmmakers, prominent themes, and much more.

Eddie Muller

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download, or subscribe to Cineversary wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to cineversarypodcast@gmail.com.

Co-op shop

What if you could own shares in a residence, just as you can own shares on the stock market, but also be allowed to live in that residence? This is possible when you buy into a co-op, also known as a housing cooperative. 

If you’re in the market for a condo purchase or apartment rental, you may want to consider purchasing shares in a co-op that you can call home. Co-ops offer some advantages over condos and other housing options, but they also have their drawbacks. Learn more by reading my newest article published in the Chicago Tribune, available here:

CineVerse film discussion group turns 20

I'm not just a busy journalist: I'm also a podcast host and the creator/moderator of a film discussion group I founded in 2005 called CineVerse. 

Recently, CineVerse celebrated its 20th anniversary. We got pretty decent coverage in a few newspapers, including the Chicago Tribune, Daily Southtown, and Patch.com. Learn more about our movie club by checking out these links and also visiting the CineVerse blog.

You've paid off your mortgage - now what?

If you’ve recently paid off your mortgage, it’s time to celebrate. That means you’ve likely made monthly payments over multiple decades and had to make significant financial sacrifices along the way. But just because you’ve reached the finish line on financing doesn’t mean all your homeownership tasks are done.

Take time to better understand what you should expect after you pay off your mortgage, if any paperwork is needed, how it can impact your credit, to-dos related to escrow accounts, property taxes, and homeowners insurance, and what to do with that extra money you’ll pocket by reading my newest piece for The Mortgage Reports, available here.

Crypto gets a seat at the mortgage table

On June 25, Federal Housing Finance Agency Director William J. Pulte ordered Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac – the two government-sponsored enterprises that help keep mortgage dollars flowing in the housing market – to include cryptocurrencies in their risk evaluations for single-family mortgage loans.

Currently, if you own bitcoin, ethereum or other digital assets, Fannie and Freddie's guidelines require you to convert them into U.S. dollars before they can be used to qualify for a home loan. The updated policy will allow borrowers to use unconverted crypto to meet mortgage reserve requirements. (You'd still need to convert crypto assets used for a down payment.) However, the directive states that only crypto assets that can be evidenced and stored on a U.S.-regulated centralized exchange, subject to all applicable laws, can be considered.

How important is this change, and how will it impact the mortgage market? I asked a panel of experts for their input, which was published recently by US News & World Report here.

Cineversary podcast celebrates 40th anniversary of Back to the Future

Bob Gale and Michael Klastorin

In Cineversary podcast episode #84, host ⁠Erik Martin⁠ powers up the old DeLorean and takes a scenic drive around Hill Valley to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Robert Zemeckis’ Back to the Future. Joining him for the ride is the film’s co-screenwriter Bob Gale; and Michael Klastorin, author of Back to the Future: The Ultimate Visual History. Together, they examine the movie’s lasting impact on pop culture, the clockwork precision of its script, key themes, and much more.

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download, or subscribe to Cineversary wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to cineversarypodcast@gmail.com.

Fabric-cadabra

Look closer at your living room sectional or corner recliner. Chances are it’s laced with dust or bearing a blemish you didn’t notice before. Which begs the question: When was the last time you cleaned your furnishings?

Learn tips on how to properly clean and maintain your furniture by reading my latest Costco Connection magazine article, available here.

Here's how to finance 5 top home remodeling projects

We’re a country that likes to upgrade our homes. For proof, consider that Americans forked over more than $600 billion last year on home remodeling projects, according to a Harvard study. Putting dollars and elbow grease into home renovations that add value and generate homeowner happiness makes sense. Every year, the National Association of Realtors, or NAR, publishes a list of projects that meet these criteria.

Curious as to which home updates add value as well as leave owners highly satisfied? Read my latest article for US News & World Report, available here.

Does unemployment impact your credit score?

It’s natural to be concerned about immediate practical matters if you lose your job. From paying your bills to qualifying for unemployment benefits and getting a new job, there's a lot to think about. The good news is that you can cross your credit score off your worries. Unemployment won't directly affect your credit score. Your credit score is a reflection of your history with credit accounts, not your situation. But if your financial behavior changes because of job loss, that's a different story. For example, your score may drop if you miss payments or lean too heavily on your credit card.

Learn more by reading my latest article for Yahoo!Life, available here.

Is now a good time to refinance your home?

Pondering a mortgage refinance? There’s much to consider before pulling the trigger on this significant financial decision. Namely, how would a refi benefit you? What are the pros and cons of refinancing your home? Do the benefits of refinancing your home outweigh any disadvantages? And what refinancing alternatives exist?

Read my latest article on this topic, published by The Mortgage Reports, available here.

Cineversary podcast celebrates 50th anniversary of Jaws

Ben Mankiewicz and James Kendrick

In Cineversary podcast episode #83, host ⁠Erik Martin⁠ takes a deep dive to search for the perfect summertime thriller and finds it in Steven Spielberg’s Jaws, which celebrates a 50th anniversary this month. Accompanying him on this voyage is TCM host Ben Mankiewicz, and Baylor University film professor James Kendrick, author of Darkness in the Bliss-Out: A Reconsideration of the Films of Steven Spielberg. Together, they explore how Jaws marked a sea change in cinema, dissect the elements that make it a masterwork, hunt for key themes, and much more.

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download, or subscribe to Cineversary wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to cineversarypodcast@gmail.com

When to consider a co-op

What if you could own shares in a residence, just as you can own shares on the stock market, but also be allowed to live in that residence? This is possible when you buy into a co-op, also known as a housing cooperative. 

If you’re in the market for a condo purchase or apartment rental, you may want to consider purchasing shares in a co-op that you can call home. Co-ops offer some advantages over condos and other housing options, but they also have their drawbacks.

Learn more about co-ops by reading my latest article for Bankrate on this topic, available here.

6 ways to improve your credit score

Whether you are yearning to apply for credit or seeking to purchase a home, your three-digit credit score will matter significantly. That's because lenders and credit card companies will scrutinize your score to determine your creditworthiness. If your score is too low, you'll likely get denied the financing you seek.

But there are surefire ways to raise your score they can make a big difference. Learn more about improving your credit score by reading my latest article for new client Rocket Mortgage, available here.

Cineversary podcast celebrates 70th birthday of The Night of the Hunter

In Cineversary podcast episode #82, host ⁠Erik Martin⁠ hunts on horseback for the perfect film and finds it in Charles Laughton's The Night of the Hunter

Imogen Smith

, which celebrates a 70th birthday this year. Joining him on this journey is Imogen Sara Smith, author of In Lonely Places: Film Noir Beyond the City, editor-in-chief of Noir City Magazine, and frequent contributor to the Criterion Collection. Together, they travel upriver to explore what makes this movie a masterpiece, the filmmakers it inspired, key thematic takeaways, and much more.

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download, or subscribe to Cineversary wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to cineversarypodcast@gmail.com.

Know the expiration date on a home appraisal

Whether you plan to purchase a home or refinance it, you’re probably going to need a professional home appraisal. Getting one is also a smart idea if you plan to sell your property. But what if you’ve had an appraisal conducted relatively recently: Is a new one still required? For that matter, how long does a house appraisal last? More specifically, how long is a conventional appraisal good for? Or how long is an FHA appraisal good for, or an appraisal for a VA or USDA loan?

While appraisals don’t technically have a set expiration date, a good estimate is about 120 days, although this will depend on multiple factors, including the loan type, lender, and market conditions. Learn more by reading my recent article for Mortgage Research Center, available here.

How to find the right USDA mortgage lender

A USDA home loan comes with many perks, including no down payment required and competitive interest rates. But finding the right USDA lender and sometimes be a challenge.

Learn more about this topic by reading my first article for new client USDALoans.com, available here.

More single women are purchasing homes – Here's why

As that beloved song by Aretha Franklin and the Eurythmics from 40 years ago reminds us, sisters are doin’ it for themselves – and in increasing numbers when it comes to homebuying, fresh data suggest.

Indeed, a greater portion of single women are buying residences nowadays than years ago. Considering that women continue to make less than men, on average, that’s an impressive feat, although buying as a solo female has its risks and challenges.

Take a closer look at what the latest numbers show and what factors the experts attribute to this trend by reading my latest article for The Mortgage Reports, available here.

Cineversary podcast honors 100th birthday of Chaplin's The Gold Rush

Jeffrey Vance

In Cineversary podcast episode #81, host ⁠Erik Martin⁠ goes prospecting for comedic gold by revisiting Charles Chaplin’s The Gold Rush on its 100th anniversary. Accompanying him on this expedition is Jeffrey Vance, a film historian, film archivist, and author of the book Chaplin: Genius Of The Cinema. Together, they mine the priceless merits of the Little Tramp’s hilarious and impressive adventure, examining how it has stood the test of time, what makes the laughs evergreen, and how scores of imitators have been influenced by this masterwork.

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download, or subscribe to Cineversary wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to cineversarypodcast@gmail.com.

Thinking about buying a second home? Consider using a HELOC

Dreaming of purchasing a second home for a family getaway or rental? There are several financing options available to help you. One of the most flexible is a home equity line of credit (HELOC), which allows you to tap into your equity. 

Using a HELOC to buy a second home can make a lot of sense for homeowners who have built significant equity in their primary residence. But that raises some important questions: How much can you borrow using a HELOC to buy another house? What are the benefits and drawbacks of applying HELOC funds to a second home purchase? What steps should you take to apply for a home equity line of credit? And what other financing options, like a home equity loan or cash-out refinance, should you consider? For answers, read my first article for new client Better.com, available here.

Shed of the class

Own a backyard shed, deck box, hose cart, snow shovel, or garage cabinet? Chances are it’s made by Suncast, a Batavia, Illinois-based company that has revolutionized the outdoor storage and home and garden space since its founding in 1984.

For 40 years, Suncast’s secret weapon has been high-density resin, a synthetic compound in granular form that’s lighter, more durable, and easier to maintain than wood or metal. It arrives via rail cars and is stored in the company’s 20 silos (each of which holds 200,000 lbs. of pellets), then is pumped as needed through pipes to specialized state-of-the-art machines. These powerful transformers heat the resin into liquified form, then mold it into a finished piece—such as a roof panel or wall section for an outdoor shed. Proprietary resin casting techniques also enable Suncast to fashion attractive textures, patterns, and hues, mimicking the look and aesthetics of more costly materials.

Learn more about Suncast and the secret behind its success by reading my latest article, which happens to be the cover story for the April issue of The Costco Connection, available here.

Why do car insurance rates keep climbing?

Car insurance rates continue to climb as inflation, changing driver habits, labor shortages and issues with the supply chain all influence premiums. A report by S&P Global found that the 10 largest insurers in the nation hiked their premiums by nearly 9% year over year in 2023. It is predicted that car insurance rates will continue to rise.

A rate increase can be an unwelcome surprise, particularly if you are already struggling to cover the cost of your car insurance. Learn why car insurance costs are increasing, what you can do to prepare for a rate increase and how to keep your car insurance affordable by reading my newest story for Carinsurance.com, available here.

For those tough cleaning jobs, make it a pressure washer

A garden hose just won’t cut it for most outdoor jobs. When you want cleaning on steroids, you’ll need a pressure washer: a powerhouse appliance that uses pressurized water to remove dirt, grime, grease, stains, mold, paint, and other unwanted elements from surfaces. Connected to your outdoor spigot, this handy device uses a motor-driven pump to create a flow with high-pressure resistance. You control the water jet via a trigger on a spray gun; change the pressure and spray pattern by swapping out the nozzle on the end of the wand.

Learn how to choose the right pressure washer for your needs by reading my newest article on this topic, published by The Costco Connection magazine, available here.

Cineversary podcast celebrates 50th anniversary of Monty Python and the Holy Grail

In Cineversary podcast episode #80, host ⁠Erik Martin⁠ lifts a golden chalice to toast the golden anniversary of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, directed by Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones. Joining him on this quest is Darl Larsen, a film and animation professor at Brigham Young University and author of A Book About the Film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Together, they collect several nice and inexpensive shrubberies, decipher obscure Swedish subtitles, and try to convince listeners that they’re not quite dead as they explore why this film still matters 50 years later.

Darl Larsen

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download, or subscribe to Cineversary wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to cineversarypodcast@gmail.com.

What happened to the metaverse?

Neil Stephenson introduced the metaverse as a concept in his 1992 novel Snow Crash, where he depicted it as a digital realm where users, represented by avatars, engage in a simulated reality. Fast-forward more than 30 years, and the concept is often associated with platforms like Roblox, Fortnite, Meta’s Horizon Worlds, and the Sandbox. However, these typically represent individual, proprietary experiences rather than the unified virtual world that was originally envisioned.

The metaverse and its related technology have surely evolved, but why has it not quite lived up to the hope many had placed in it? This is the topic I explore in my latest article for Destination CRM, available here.

Why affordable housing is important

With inflation taking its toll over the past few years, everybody is yearning to pay less for anything nowadays – from groceries and gas to tuition and health care. The same can be said of real estate, especially considering that the median home price is approximately $416,700, per the National Association of Realtors.

Where can affordable housing be found? And how is “affordable housing” defined? For answers, read my newest article for The Post and Courier, available here.

What happens if Trump privatizes Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac?

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are government-sponsored enterprises, or GSEs, that support the mortgage market by buying loans from mortgage lenders, bundling them into mortgage-backed securities and selling them to investors. This increases the availability and affordability of mortgages and standardizes industry guidelines. But the Trump administration wants to privatize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which could radically change the mortgage experience for consumers.

Check out my latest article for US News & World Report, in which I explore this hot button real estate and political topic.